Bill Strengthens Federal Tax Credit
 sponsored by the late Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones

The first major changes to the Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit in 32 years were made law this summer. Enhancements include:

• An exemption from the alternative minimum tax for investors who buy historic tax credits, which should attract more investors and increase interest in currently underserved smaller historic properties.
• A requirement that all state housing finance agencies consider historic properties when allocating affordable housing credits. At present, only a small number of states have this provision.
• An increase in the percentage of leasable space developers can rent to nonprofit groups, many of whom provide valuable social services in their neighborhoods, in buildings rehabilitated by rehabilitation credit.

According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, this program has generated more than $45 billion in renovation and revitalization since it began in 1976. Last year the incentive produced more than $4 billion in private investment and added more than 40,000 new jobs. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones was a primary sponsor of the bill (see "In Memoriam" below).

 

 State Historic Preservation Tax Credit Update
 keeping a much-needed resource in Ohio

State preservation tax credits are important to Ohio. Currently there are 29 states that have state historic preservation tax credit programs. Ohio began what was to be a two-year pilot program in July 2007. This program was closed to new applicants in March 2008, when the $120 million cap was reached. Following some retooling, the state has achieved a new tax credit for 2010 and 2011 that includes a set-aside for some of the projects that had applied for the initial pilot program. Within the past year, no new states have begun their own program, but in Maine, Colorado and Georgia preservation advocates were able to expand or enhance their states' programs and Rhode Island successfully prevented having a cap imposed on its program. New Jersey and Hawaii preservationists are actively pursuing historic tax credits in their states, despite opposition or indifference. We applaud the State of Ohio's efforts to keep this valuable tool available and will report to you future developments.

 

 Counteracting the Teardown Trend
 new tools available on the web

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has issued a "one-stop-shop" guide on ways to counteract or control teardowns and "McMansionization" at the local level. Teardowns on the Web highlights approximately 30 tools and more than 300 examples of best practices being used in 32 states around the country and provides contact information so that you can connect with others who have faced this issue. With the current downturn in the real-estate market nationally, this seems an optimum time for cities and towns to create these counter-measures, before the pressure for new development resumes. Click here for more information about this issue from the National Trust.

 

 Update: Tomb of the Unknowns
 repairs in the short-term, uncertainty still for future

Good news to report from Washington, DC - proponents for repairing rather than replacing the Monument at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, the only national monument to American servicemen killed in WWI, were glad to learn in mid-August that a congressionally mandated report supports their position. A reversal of Congress's previous position, this was clearly the result of grass-roots advocacy from veterans, preservationists and other concerned citizens. However, the battle isn't over, since Cemetery authorities continue to seriously consider replacement. We'll keep you updated.

 

 How Green are my Windows?
 a rational approach by National Trust

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has developed a "Tip Sheet for Historic Wood Windows" that focuses on key questions about restoration and replacement of older wood windows and explores the environmental benefits of retaining wood windows. Creation of this resource is just the beginning for the National Trust in addressing this important topic, which has caused considerable debate between green building proponents and preservationists. A Historic Windows Assessment Project has been established to study windows more comprehensively. Learn more about the Trust's Sustainability Initiative.

 

 Arts and Culture in the Community Materials Online
 resources from CPAC

The Community Partnership for Arts and Culture (CPAC), which strives to advance the arts and culture sector as an asset in community building, has new resources available to the public on its web site. The organization has recently published "Shaping Our Future," a progress report on Northeast Ohio's Arts and Culture Plan released in 2000 as well as twelve articles illustrating some of the arts and culture sector's greatest achievements. Also available online are materials from the May 14 CPAC conference "From Rust Belt to Artist Belt." That event brought together community development professionals from "Rust Belt" cities to discuss the challenges and opportunities they face in promoting community-wide artist-oriented programs.

 

 Port Authority Plans to Move
 major changes anticipated

Conceptual plans for the proposed move of Cleveland's port from the east side of the Cuyahoga to a site north of East 55th Street have been unveiled. Essential preparation includes a new dike that could begin by 2012, if the US Army Corps of Engineers approves. Construction of the port on top of the dike would not begin until 2020. A key issue is how CSX Corp. and Norfolk Southern Corp. might interact in providing freight rail service to the new port. A potential benefit to the city at large may be resulting economic revitalization from East 18th Street to Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, north of St. Clair Avenue, which is under study now by the St. Clair Superior Development Corp. Preservationists will want to follow plans closely as they develop to encourage the saving of historically significant structures and their adaptive use where feasible.

 

 NEO Sustainability Network Map
 explore our regional connections

GreenCityBlueLake has created an interactive sustainability network map for Northeast Ohio. The map provides graphical display software called "TheBrain," which lets you click on nodes of the network and watch the map redraw showing new relationships between organizations. The objective is to build a stronger identity for regional sustainability; to promote strategic thinking about what's needed to advance a sustainability agenda and to provide a platform for creating new, collaborative projects. Check it out!

 

 National Preservation Institute Seminars
 wide range of offerings

The National Preservation Institute has announced its offerings for 2008-2009 from September to June. Topics to be covered include Identification and Evaluation of Mid- 20th-Century Buildings; Section 106; Conflict Resolution and Negotiation Tools for Cultural and Natural Resource Projects; Native American Cultural Property Law; Green Strategies for Historic Buildings; Cemetery Preservation and much more. These one- and two-day professional seminars in historic preservation and cultural resource management will be given at various locations throughout the country. Online registration is available, with a suggested registration deadline of six weeks prior to each seminar. NPI is a non-profit organization founded in 1980 to educate those involved in the management, preservation and stewardship of our cultural heritage. Scholarships may be available.

 

 In Memoriam
 Northeast Ohio says goodbye to three leaders in August

Stephanie Tubbs Jones, a dynamic, out-going spokesperson for the 11th Congressional District, died on August 20 at the age of 58. In her fifth term as a representative from Northeast Ohio, she had quickly achieved legislative success, earned the respect of her colleagues and the strong support of her constituents, whom she continually urged to act on various constructive community issues. She was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Historic Preservation Caucus, the Ways and Means Committee, and the House of Representatives' tax committee and was Ohio's first black female representative. As the sponsor of preservation's primary tax bill, HR1043, Tubbs Jones and her staff worked diligently over the last several years to increase bipartisan support for the bill and to get in the measure three important changes to the historic tax credit - the first changes to the incentive in over two decades. These changes became law on July 23. Characteristic of her enthusiasm for a good cause, she said of HR1043: "This legislation simplifies the Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit, making it easier to utilize the credit for revitalizing our nation's older neighborhoods, harnessing greater housing potential in underutilized historic and older buildings, and focusing more private sector investment in smaller, 'main street' oriented commercial structures." She will be greatly missed for her strength of personality and hard work to enable historic preservation efforts.

Fannie Lewis, a Cleveland Councilwoman for nearly three decades, died on August 11 at the age of 82. She emerged from the Hough riots of 1966 determined to bring back her neighborhood from the destruction and despair that pervaded that part of Cleveland in those dark days. After a decade and more as a community activist, Lewis was elected to City Council in 1979 and continued to serve the constituents of Ward 7 until her death. She was a formidable proponent for economic development - jobs -- and physical improvement in her ward and drew national attention with her determined advocacy for the Cleveland school voucher plan. Lewis came from humble origins and a deeply imbedded biblical- based faith, from both of which she drew strength in her impressive public service.

John Seiberling, a native of Akron and U. S. Congressman from 1970 to 1986, died on August 2. He was instrumental in creating the Historic Preservation Fund, which provides millions of dollars to states and communities in preservation grants each year and helped draft over 60 parks-related bills, including the bill that established the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. In 2002 he received the National Trust's Louise du Pont Crowninshield Award, its highest honor, in recognition of his major contributions to conservation and historic preservation. Seiberling was born in the family's mansion, Stan Hywet Hall, in 1918 and years later guided the creation of a non-profit foundation to take over the property to operate it as a historic house museum - one of the most popular heritage tourism sites in northeastern Ohio.

 

 Calendar of Events
 what to do, where to do it, and when to go

September 6
Cleveland Green Building Tour
Departs from Cleveland Museum of Natural History
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., registration required, $$
GreenCityBlueLake Institute

September 6
10,000 Visions of Cleveland
Galleria on E. 9th and St. Clair, Cleveland
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., registration required, $
Greater Cleveland Partnership

September 6 - 7
"Come Home to Lakewood" Tour
Patron Party Saturday, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., $$
House Tour Sunday, 1:00 - 6:00 p.m., $$
Lakewood Historical Society, 216-221-7343

September 9 - 12
AASLH Annual Meeting
Rochester, NY, on-site registration only, $$$
American Association for State and Local History

September 10
Summit on Restoring Prosperity to Ohio
Columbus Convention Center, registration required
Greater Ohio Policy Center
Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program

September 11 - 13
2008 Central Ohio Summit on Sustainability and the Environment
Greater Columbus Convention Center
Register by 9/4, $$
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission

September 13
150th Anniversary of the Oberlin-Wellington Rescue
Tappan Square, Oberlin, 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sponsors include Oberlin Heritage Center

September 13
Pandemonium 08 Benefit
7:00 p.m., 6415 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland
Tickets available online, $$$
Cleveland Public Theatre

September 18
"Cleveland in Black and White" Exhibit Opening and Reception
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Thomas F. Campbell, Ph.D. Exhibition Gallery
Glickman-Miller Hall, 1717 Euclid Ave.
Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs

September 18 - 20
Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference
Navy Pier, Chicago
Early registration by 9/5
Restore Media, LLC

September 18 - 21
Rally 2008 - National Land Conservation Conference
Pittsburgh, on-site registration only, $$$
Land Trust Alliance

September 20 - 21
Tremont Arts & Cultural Festival
Lincoln Park, Cleveland
Saturday, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Tremont West Development Corporation

September 24 - 26
National Historic Tax Credit Conference
The Blackstone, Chicago, registration required
National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers

September 25 - 26
Building Doctor Clinic - Burton
9/25 workshop, 7:00 p.m.
Lennah Bond Activity Center, 14653 E. Park St.
Ohio Historic Preservation Office
Geauga County Historical Society, 440-834-1492

September 25 - 26
ED FEST 2008
Villa Milano, 1930 Schrock Rd., Columbus
Registration required
Pella Windows and Doors

September 27
Neighborhoods of Shaker Square Home Tour
2:00 - 6:00 p.m.,$$
Shaker Square Area Development Corporation

September 27
Yesterday's Green Movement: Understanding the Principles of Victorian Architecture
2:00 - 4:00 p.m., RSVP by 9/18, $$
Doty & Miller Architects, 750 Broadway, Bedford
Bedford Historical Society

September 30
"An Arm Chair Tour of Downtown Oberlin's National Register Historic District"
Kendal at Oberlin, Heiser Auditorium, 7:15 p.m.
Oberlin Heritage Center
City of Oberlin Historic Preservation Commission

October 2 -4
Social Venture Partners National Conference
Cleveland
Social Venture Partners International

October 2 - 4
OAHSM Annual Meeting and Conference
Ohio Historical Center, Columbus
Early registration before 9/12, $$$
Ohio Association of Historical Societies & Museums

October 2 - 5
Ohio Mart
Stan Hywet, Akron
Thursday - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., $
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

 

 Save the Date!
 

October 17 - 18
Stan Hywet Symposium - "On Display: Historic Homes and Great Estates"
Stan Hywet, Akron
Early registration before 9/16, $$$
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

October 21 - 25
National Preservation Conference
Tulsa, Oklahoma, register online, $$$
National Trust for Historic Preservation

October 21
Ohio Historic Preservation Office Workshops
Columbus, registration required, $$
Ohio Historic Preservation Office